Free Morse Code Translator
Convert text to Morse code and decode Morse code back to plain text in real time, using the International Morse standard, with optional audio beeps you can play.
Letters are separated by a space and words by /. A ? marks a character with no standard Morse equivalent.
Quick answer
A Morse code translator converts letters, digits, and punctuation into International Morse code — short dots and long dashes — and converts that code back into readable text. Letters are separated by a single space and words by a slash ( / ); for example, "SOS" becomes "... --- ...". This tool works two ways and can play the code aloud as beeps.
Formula & method
Each character is looked up in the International Morse Code table, where A is .- , B is -... , 0 is ----- , and so on. When encoding, the dots and dashes for each letter are joined with a single space, and words are separated by " / ". When decoding, the text is split on the slash into words and on spaces into symbols, and each symbol is matched back to its character. Characters with no standard Morse equivalent are marked with a "?". Audio playback uses the Web Audio API to sound a 600 Hz tone: a dash lasts three times as long as a dot, with short gaps between symbols and longer gaps between words.
Examples
- Input
- SOS
- Result
- ... --- ...
- Why
- S is ..., O is ---, and S is ... again; the three letters are joined with single spaces.
- Input
- HELLO WORLD
- Result
- .... . .-.. .-.. --- / .-- --- .-. .-.. -..
- Why
- Each letter becomes its Morse symbols, letters are spaced apart, and the two words are split by ' / '.
- Input
- -- --- .-. ... . / -.-. --- -.. .
- Result
- MORSE CODE
- Why
- Splitting on ' / ' gives two words; each symbol maps back to a letter, producing MORSE CODE.
- Input
- Hi 123
- Result
- .... .. / .---- ..--- ...--
- Why
- Case is ignored, so Hi encodes the same as HI, and the digits 1, 2, 3 use their five-symbol codes.
When to use this tool
- Learning or practicing Morse code for amateur radio, scouting, or aviation study.
- Encoding a short message, callsign, or distress signal like SOS for a puzzle, game, or escape room.
- Decoding Morse you received as text, audio notes, or in a brain-teaser back into plain words.
- Creating Morse for engravings, tattoos, jewelry, or gifts where you need the exact dot-and-dash sequence.
Common mistakes
- Separating words with a single space instead of a slash. In standard Morse a space divides letters, while ' / ' (or a clear gap) divides words.
- Confusing the letter O (---) with the digit 0 (-----). They look similar but have a different number of dashes.
- Expecting accented letters or rare symbols to translate. The International standard only covers A–Z, 0–9, and a set of common punctuation; anything else shows as '?'.
- Typing the wrong spacing when decoding — gluing all the dots and dashes together leaves the tool no way to tell where one letter ends and the next begins.
Frequently asked questions
How do I separate letters and words in Morse code?
Within a word, each letter's dots and dashes are separated by a single space. Between words you use a slash with spaces around it ( / ), which represents the longer pause that tells the reader a new word has begun.
Why is SOS written as ... --- ...?
In International Morse, S is three dots (...) and O is three dashes (---). SOS is S-O-S, so it becomes ... --- ... . It was chosen as a distress signal because the pattern is simple, distinctive, and easy to recognize.
Does the translator handle numbers and punctuation?
Yes. It supports the digits 0–9 and common punctuation such as period, comma, question mark, slash, parentheses, colon, and a few symbols, all using their standard International Morse codes.
Is Morse code case-sensitive?
No. Morse has no distinction between uppercase and lowercase, so 'Hello' and 'HELLO' produce exactly the same code. The decoder returns letters in uppercase.
What does a question mark in the output mean?
A '?' appears when a character has no standard Morse equivalent — for example an emoji, an accented letter, or an unusual symbol. The rest of your text still translates normally.
Can I hear the Morse code as sound?
Yes. Click the play button and the tool sounds the code as beeps using your browser's Web Audio API, with short beeps for dots and longer beeps for dashes. No audio files are downloaded.
Is my text sent to a server?
No. All translation and audio happen locally in your browser, so your text and messages never leave your device.
Sources & references
External references open in a new tab. We are independent and not affiliated with these organizations.
- ✓ Free to use
- ✓ No sign-up required
- ✓ Runs entirely in your browser — nothing is uploaded.
- ✓ Formula and method shown above
Provided “as is” for general information only — results may be inaccurate, so verify before you rely on them. No warranty; use at your own risk.
Built and reviewed by HIFreeTools against the formula shown above and any authoritative references cited on this page. See our methodology and editorial standards.
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